Chester’s ski team shreds through season

Chester High School ski team member Bailey Smith hightails it down the mountain at Boreal on Feb. 1. Smith placed first in the girls’ category the first three races of the season. Photos submitted

James Wilson

Sports Reporter

2/14/2013

The Chester High School ski and snowboard team is well into its season, and is doing exceptionally well.

The team is mainly racing at Boreal, but made its way to Alpine once this year with another race scheduled to take place there.

The team, coached by Terry Hernandez, placed first in both the boys and girls skiing races the first three races in a row. The team raced at Boreal on Jan. 18, at Alpine on Jan. 25 and back at Boreal on Feb. 1.

Hernandez, Chester’s athletic director, said he wasn’t planning to coach the ski team this winter, but the team didn’t have a coach signed up. Hernandez either had to fill the void or cancel the team’s year altogether. Hernandez chose to step in.

“Our boys’ team is simply incredible this year,” said Hernandez. “That’s why I’m doing this. I think we will end up having six or seven from our team in the top 10 and go on to the state championships.”

The Chester ski and snowboard team takes a rest after a long day of skiing. Top row from left are Cody Najera, Calvin Wilson, Isabelle LaMarie and coach Terry Hernandez. Bottom, from left, are Wesley Hedrick, Dakota Strand, Brian Wann, Cody Wilson, Moises McCulloch and Bailey Smith.

Freshman Calvin Wilson is proving to maintain his speed and accuracy throughout this season as he placed first overall in the first three races. Similarly, Bailey Smith took the gold in the girls’ category.

“There’s no doubt that (Smith) is one of kind,” said Hernandez. “She is easily going to make it to state.”

The other girl on the team, Isabelle LaMarie, placed ninth, eighth and fifth so far this season.

Moises McCulloch placed second in the first race, then 14th in the second and third in the third. Dakota Strand placed third in the first race and second in the second. In the third Strand did not finish. Cody Wilson skipped the first two races, but placed third in the third race. Wilson was racing elsewhere during the first two races.

The snowboarders on the team consist of Wesley Hedrick, Cody Najera and Brian Wann. Hedrick placed fourth, eighth and third. Najera placed 15th, 10th and seventh. Wann placed 20th in the first race, did not race the second and did not finish the third.

The team travels back to Alpine on Feb. 15 to race. The chances are very high right now that several of Chester’s team will advance to the state finals in March.